Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Zhu Yuanzhang, sitting upright on the dragon throne, had a face so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

The atmosphere in the entire hall seemed to be shrouded in a layer of frost, so oppressive that it made people feel breathless.

Zhu Yuanzhang just heard that something strange happened to the ironclad ship, and that the development of the steam engine was also full of difficulties.

These major matters, which concerned the foundation of Ming Dynasty's coastal defense, weighed on his heart like huge rocks.

Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of the importance of coastal defense to the Ming Dynasty. It was the key to protecting the Ming Dynasty's vast coastal borders and ensuring the safety of the people.

How could he not become suspicious with all these incidents happening one after another?
Are there people with ulterior motives hiding behind the scenes who are deliberately making trouble and trying to undermine the stability of the Ming Dynasty, or are there people within the court who are just sitting there doing nothing and failing to do their job?

In the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang has been governing the country with an iron fist since he ascended the throne.

Many systems that benefited the country and the people were implemented, each of which was aimed at consolidating the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.

Let’s talk about the A system here. Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was lost in memories.

He slowly opened his mouth and said to Wu Cheng, the chief eunuch standing beside him: "The system here is carefully planned by us.

With layer upon layer of control, local governance is in good order.

Let all those local affairs escape the eyes of the imperial court.

It also makes local stability more secure, which is a good policy for governing the country and maintaining peace.”

Wu Cheng quickly bowed and agreed: "Your Majesty is wise. With this system, our Ming Dynasty will be much more stable and the people will be able to live and work in peace."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and continued, "There is also the Yellow Book system, which clearly lists the household registration population.

The imperial court knew exactly how many people each family had and what they did for a living.

In this way, there would be a basis for collecting taxes and grain as well as for conscripting corvée labor.

The affairs of this world are in our hands."

Wu Cheng replied respectfully again: "Your Majesty has thought it through. This system has really made the foundation of the Ming Dynasty more solid."

In fact, the Jinyiwei was also a sharp weapon in Zhu Yuanzhang's hands, shouldering many important duties such as monitoring officials and gathering intelligence. They were his eyes and ears.

When Zhu Yuanzhang thought of this, his eyes became more sharp.

He looked outside the hall, as if he could see the figures of the Jinyiwei hiding everywhere.

After more than four years of careful management, the Jinyiwei had already woven an invisible yet tight network in the eight counties under the jurisdiction of Yingtian Prefecture.

From the mansions of high-ranking officials to the corners of the streets.

They are omnipresent and no disturbance can escape their eyes and ears.

Half an hour later, Wang Danian, the captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was in charge of this matter, hurried over.

His steps were steady but with a hint of urgency, holding the sorted secret report in his hand.

Wang Danian carefully protected the secret report in his arms, as if it were some rare treasure.

When he reached the center of the hall, he bowed hurriedly, not daring to breathe.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the relevant information has been compiled into a secret report, please review it."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the imperial desk, his eyes as deep as the abyss.

Just like that bottomless cold pond, it is impossible to guess what he is thinking.

There was a meaningful look in his eyes, and he slowly said, "As a garrison, Jinyiwei currently has a staff of 5600 people.

The full staff of a thousand-household unit is 1120 people, and that of a hundred-household unit is 112 people.

This is the regulation we set up to protect the royal family and monitor the world.

Each guard post has its own duties and there must be no mistakes.

You must do your best to work hard and not disappoint us and the court." Wang Danian bowed again hurriedly, his head lowered even lower, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He replied in a loud but respectful voice: "Your Majesty is wise and I will do my best.

I will never slack off in the slightest and will not disappoint your majesty and the court’s high expectations.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the secret report.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and he seemed to be thinking about something in his mind while reading the secret report.

The hall was so quiet for a while that only the faint sound of Zhu Yuanzhang reading the secret report remained, and the atmosphere became increasingly solemn.

At this moment, Wang Danian suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, looking respectful and pious.

He raised his head, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang firmly, and said in a loud voice: "Thanks to your majesty's trust, I have been able to rise from obscurity.

Back then, I was just an unknown pawn.

Fortunately, your Majesty has a keen eye for talent, and with the careful advice of all the gentlemen, I was honored to be one of the five thousand commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Now that I have taken on this important responsibility, I will devote myself to serving Your Majesty until my death!
In our dynasty, loyalty is the most important virtue for an official. I have been deeply blessed by the Emperor and will never forget it.

I will strictly abide by my duties and serve Your Majesty attentively. "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

He put down the secret report in his hand, looked at Wang Danian, and slowly said: "Wang Danian, do you know that the captain and deputy captain of the Jinyiwei are of the fifth rank and the fifth rank respectively.

With a high position and great power, the corresponding salary is naturally not low.

Your monthly salaries are 16 shi and 14 shi respectively. Currently, the purchasing power of one tael of silver is about two shi of rice.

Let me ask you, do you know how much the average person earns in a year? "

Wang Danian was stunned at first, wondering why His Majesty suddenly asked this.

But he quickly came to his senses and hurriedly reported truthfully: "Your Majesty, according to my humble observation, the annual income of street oil vendors, private school teachers and cooks is about 20 taels of silver.

The annual income of a wet nurse was about 24 taels of silver, and the annual income of a butcher was about 36 taels of silver.

The annual income of a self-cultivating farmer was about 15 taels of silver, and the annual income of a tenant farmer was about 9 taels and 4 cents of silver.

The annual income of a teacher who can participate in the "senior teacher" qualification assessment is about 50 taels of silver.

The annual income of a silversmith or groom employed by the government was about 40 taels of silver.

The annual income of a horse ranch handyman or a clerk in the government office was about 18 taels of silver.

The reason why I and others can enjoy a higher income than ordinary people is all thanks to your Majesty's great grace.

Mr. Mao often taught us to be grateful for what we have and to be loyal to His Majesty wholeheartedly.

Therefore, I dare not slack off in the performance of my official duties in order to live up to your Majesty's trust.

Although the people of our dynasty are hardworking and simple, taxes, corvee labor, etc. are also a heavy burden on their lives.

Fortunately, your majesty is wise and always shows grace, thus ensuring the safety of the people's livelihood."

After hearing what Wang Danian said, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but frowned slightly, as if he was thinking about something.

After a while, he slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back and paced in front of the imperial desk, saying as he paced: "Speaking of which, the reason why you can enjoy such a high salary is thanks to the performance and bonus set by the third brother.

As for the Prince of Jin, even though he looks careless on weekdays.

But in this matter, he has thought it through carefully.

You have come up with such a good idea for our Jinyiwei, which has given you a purpose and made you work more attentively." (End of this chapter)